Trocheck spoils banner raising night as Saginaw beats Owen Sound 5-2

The Saginaw centre scored a hat trick to put a damper on banner raising night in Owen Sound as the Spirit downed the defending Ontario Hockey League champion Attack 5-2 Saturday night.

Prior to the contest, the Attack's first-ever MidWest Division and Western Conference championship banners were raised to the rafters of the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre in front of a raucous, standing room only crowd of 3,160.

Garret Ross had a goal and two assists for Saginaw (1-1-0), while John McFarland also counted.

Keevin Cutting had a goal and an assist for Owen Sound (2-1-0), and Zach Nastasiuk rounded out the scoring.

Jake Paterson made 43 saves for the Spirit, while Jordan Binnington turned away 27 shots for the Attack. Binnington was making his second straight start since returning from St. Louis Blue training camp.

At Owen Sound, Ont., following a scoreless opening 20 minutes, Owen Sound defenceman Cutting opened the scoring for his first goal of the season at 1:27 of the second period, with assists provided by defenceman Brayden Rose and right wing Cameron Brace.

However, Trocheck replied for Saginaw a mere 47 seconds later, roofing a rebound from the slot after being left alone in front of Binnington. Trocheck's wingers Garret Ross and Anthony Camara provided the assists.

Camara would collect his second helper of the contest at 12:56 after making a nifty pass while on a two-on-one with Ross, who made no mistake, rifling it past a sprawled Binnington.

Trocheck, the Florida Panthers' third round and 64th overall selection in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, buried his second of the contest on a breakaway only 23 seconds into the third period, and followed with his hat-trick goal at 8:34 to make it 4-1 Saginaw.

Veteran Spirit forward McFarland scored an unassisted, short-handed goal at 15:30, before Attack rookie left wing Zach Nastasiuk, Owen Sound's first selection at the 2011 OHL Priority Selection, scored his second goal of the season with 1:11 remaining.

Saginaw goaltender Paterson biggest save of the 43 came when he robbed newly named Attack captain Mike Halmo with a glove save at the midway point of the second period.

The Attack's first-ever OHL championship banner will be unveiled next Saturday when they welcome the Guelph Storm.

Both the Attack and Spirit are on the road next on Sept. 29, with Owen Sound paying a visit to the Barrie Colts, while the Windsor Spitfires entertain Saginaw.

Battalion 5, Wolves 0

At Sudbury, Ont., Ian Watters scored twice and Matej Machovsky made 23 saves to lead Brampton (1-1-0) to a shut out of the Wolves (0-2-0).

Bulls 4, Greyhounds 3

At Belleville, Ont., Michael Curtis has a goal and an assist for the Bulls (1-1-0) as they dealt Sault Ste. Marie (0-1-0) a loss.

Whalers 6, Otters 2

At Plymouth, Mich., Alex Aleardi scored two goals and added an assist as the Whalers (1-1-0) beat Erie (0-2-0).